Review of Heavenly Creatures (1994) by Matthew R — 09 Jan 2008

What a change of pace for Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh. An Oscar nominated screenplay, based on true New Zealand events. Kate Winslet's first film. Reality gradually recedes into dreamscape as two Christchurch schoolgirls' fictional 'Fourth World' springs to vibrant life and the prospective novelists retreat further and further away from their restricting families and enter the surreal world of their own.

There is sumptuous cinematography and imaginative visual scenes in Borovnia. It's another strong succession for Jackson who refuses to be pigeonholed here by telling a controlled, mature story with well-developed characters and storyline.

Heavenly Creatures makes a departure from the extremities of early Jackson but is nevertheless a commendable picture with some truly thrilling moments of sinister intensity. A gripping and unsettling but lovely film.